6 Modern Offices That Underscore Flexibility and Inclusion

June 7, 2023

Words: Edie Cohen

With the possible permanent disruption of the commercial landscape, these workplaces showcase—and underscore the importance of—flexibility, coll­aboration, and inclusion.

Size: 1,076 square feet

A cocreation between architect and client, also a design firm, the office has been conceived as a creative workshop for sharing knowledge, which is expressed via an overhead corrugated tube winding through in varied configurations for implied meanings—sinuous and open suggesting access to new inspiration, knotted signifying the intersection of ideas—backdropped by neutral tones with jolts of energetic cobalt.

Size: 129,167 square feet

A former factory has been trans­formed into a welcoming, almost residential­ feeling warehouse and delivery center for the electric carmaker. A facade of aluminum louvers screens three interconnected buildings containing reception, offices, and lounge, retail, and interactive display zones, plus the Joy Camp play area, all outfitted with acoustic ceiling panels, terrazzo, bamboo, and custom minimal furnishings.

Size: 193,750 square feet

New quarters for the financial-services company employ the midnight-blue and orange tones of campfires to not only unify the site’s eight floors but also symbolize the concepts of gathering and engagement, which are echoed in the feature stair’s landings that are large enough to double as social hubs and meeting rooms outfitted with top-level technology to allow remote workers feel as if onsite.

Size: 3,600 square feet

An office and events space for a group producing fashion and art festivals and content is both industrial and flirty, the former print shop reenvisioned with a lounge/café zone defined by walls of ceramic tile and exposed studs, a monolithic marble bar served by bright lilac stools, and a sinuous banquette upholstered in metallic purple velvet. More blush tones appear in the central block used for photo and video shoots.

Size: 270,000 square feet

What was designed by Albert Kahn in 1936 as a post office, then became public-school book storage, has been adaptively reused, with Gensler collaborating on core and shell, into an innovation hub for entrepreneurs, engineers, and scientists investigating mobility and societal issues. Interiors provide ample sunlight and spaces for robotics, prototyping, and idea exchange, kicked off by a reception desk in faceted pressed steel and joined by custom, vintage, and, appropriately, MillerKnoll pieces.

Size: 37,000 square feet

Data gathering to determine why employees would gather at a physical site informed the concept for the data-driven investor-services giant’s redesigned office, and “interaction” was the key word. The ensuing scheme deployed various settings for primarily heads-up collaboration, including the loungelike North Landing, framed with acrylic rods and conversation-starting city views.

Projects

An online marketplace catering to arts-and-crafters hired NBBJ’s Seattle studio to oversee wayfinding graphics for its new five-story workplace.

Projects

Employees at Microsoft Australia’s new flagship in north Sydney are in for an adventure. Within some 100,000 square feet across seven levels of a tower at 1 Denison Street, the office designed by GroupGSA trades standa…

DesignWire

For the TikTok New York office, Gensler crafts a colorful space that celebrates the soul of the city complete with neon lights.

Projects

Perkins&Will constructs an elegant and welcoming design aesthetic for real estate investment firm Mohr Capital’s new Dallas headquarters.

Projects

A hand-painted mural and safari-themed headboard are two of the stand-out details in this penthouse by a Bangalore-based interior design firm.

Projects

For Lady Pipa’s first brick-and-mortar location in Madrid, El Departamento embraces bold and vibrant colors, creating an immersive retail experience.